US3 min(s) read
Published 10:31 20 Apr 2026 GMT
Just days before he shot and killed his seven children, Shamar Elkins shared what looked like a joyful family moment in the days leading up to the horrifying incident that investigators are calling one of the “worst” in the area’s history.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire near a Baptist church. By the time it ended, at least 10 people had been shot. Eight children, aged between three and their teens, were killed. Police confirmed that seven were Elkins’ own children, while another was his nephew.
Two adult women, including his wife, Shaneiqua Elkins, and another woman with whom he had children, survived despite suffering gunshot wounds to the head.
A relative said: “We are in shock right now with the events that's unfolded. Family members are standing by her hoping her surgery goes well… It's truly a tragedy to experience this loss. Losing seven of your children and also being shot yourself.”
Amid the chaos, one young boy reportedly leapt from the roof in a desperate bid to escape, while another child also jumped and survived after being taken to hospital.
Authorities say Elkins fled, carried out a carjacking, and led police on a high-speed chase before being shot dead by officers.
Since the horrifying shooting, investigators have been piecing together Elkins' movements, and have uncovered a picture of the alleged familial murderer standing outside with his seven offspring just weeks before the incident. It depicts Elkins and his seven children, who were all dressed for a church outing, which he accompanied with the caption: “Happy Easter had a wonderful time at church for the first time with all my kids what a blessed day.”
Now, that same image has taken on a chilling meaning, captured just two weeks before the fateful day in Shreveport, Louisiana, with the U.S. army veteran allegedly going on a killing spree that took the lives of eight others.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the scale of the crime as overwhelming: “This is a tragic situation - maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had… We have a hurting community, we have hurting families, we have hurting police officers… This affects the entire community.”
Police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said: “The crime scene was rather extensive… We do believe him to be the only individual that fired gunshots at these locations here.”
Investigators believe the attack was “entirely a domestic incident,” beginning at one home before moving to another where “this heinous act was carried out.”
State Representative Tammy Phelps said the scenes were unimaginable: “I can't even imagine what the police officers, first responders actually dealt with when they got here today.”
The victims, three boys and five girls, were later identified, with all eight found inside the home.
Family members revealed Elkins and his wife had been separating and were due in court just a day later. A relative said tensions had been rising, adding bluntly: “He murdered his children… He shot his wife.”
In the aftermath, attention has turned to Elkins’ social media activity, and whether there was any indication that forewarned the weekend's horrifying events. Just a month earlier, he responded to a viral question asking if he would have children with a different partner if he could, writing: “Hell yehhhhhhhh I would.”
What remains is a grieving community, and a haunting photograph that now stands in chilling contrast to the devastation that followed.
